AN: Sorry this has taken so long to post --- its been a hellish few weeks….anyways, hope ya'll like this and I know that I left it hanging at the end, but there is a method to my madness!!!!!

Chapter Five:

After a rough first few weeks, Harry noticed that Dudley had finally started to become comfortable in his new surroundings. But the most interesting thing that Harry had noticed was that Dudley had actually started standing up for him.

The most recent example was one day inbetween classes, Dudley heard Malfoy talking about Harry. So he shoved him up against a wall, told him that he was the only one who could make fun of his cousin and to back off.

When Harry, Ron and Hermione walked up on the scene, there were all shocked. But none more so then Harry. What had gotten into his cousin?

"Now remember there visits to Hogsmeade village are a privilege," Professor McGonagall said as she took up permission forms from the third years.

Harry ran up to her. "No permission form signed, no visiting the village. That's the rules Potter," she said.

Mr. Flitch began to lead the students with forms towards the village.

"But professor I though if you signed it…" Harry said.

"It has to be a parent or guardian," she said. "Since I am neither, it would be inappropriate. I'm sorry Potter, but that is my final ruling."

McGonagall walked away as Harry looked at Ron and Hermione. He said goodbye then turned and walked back into the palace. There was no use in arguing.

While his friends were in Hogsmeade, Harry spent the afternoon talking with Professor Lupin. He wanted to know why Lupin had stopped the Harry from facing the Boggart. Lupin had said that he thought it would had turned into Voldemort, but Harry said that at first he thought of him but remembered that night on the train with the Dementor.

"It seems that the thing you fear the most is fear itself," Lupin said.

Harry sighed and told him about hearing a woman screaming, think it was his mother the night she died.

That was when he learned that Lupin had gone to school with his parents and that Harry had his mother's eyes. He also learned that he had a talent for trouble much like his father.

Harry only smiled.

"You're more like them then you think," Lupin said. "That time will come when you see how much."

Harry really hoped so, especially with all that was going on this year.

"Why couldn't we go to Hogsmeade?" Dudley asked later that afternoon while he and Harry sat along the banks of the lake.

"Because your parents never signed my permission form." Harry said throwing a rock into the water.

"Oh."

A few minutes of silence passed by.

"What's Qeeditch?" Dudley asked.

"It's Quidditch," Harry said correcting him. "It's a game that the wizarding world plays."

"It looks hard."

"How do you even know what it looks like?"

"I've been following you when you go off to practice."

Harry looked at Dudley in shock. "Why?"

Dudley didn't say anything as he used a stick to draw in the mud. "Um..you're my only friend here and I kept hearing about this game and I wanted to see what it was. That's all."

"Is that why you stood up to Malfoy the other day?"

Dudley nodded. Harry now knew what was going on. Dudley was still trying to figure out his place at Hogwarts.

"Come on," Harry said standing up. "It's getting late and we better get back for the Halloween feast."

Dudley followed suit and stood up.

"I have another question," Dudley said as they walked back towards the castle.

"What's that?"

"Why are you the boy who lived?"